Budding bards work with local poet for Sydenham Arts festival

Year 10 students became poets for the day when they took part in an inspiring workshop led by local poet, Isabel White.

The workshop challenged pupils to think creatively and critically, to be bold in their use of language and unafraid of editing to perfect that final sentence.

Students explored a diverse range of stimuli – from advertising and postcards to performance work and spoken word – before taking up the mantle themselves.

Isabel worked alongside each group to develop their ideas and performed some of her own material to inspire students at the start of the morning.

After the workshop Isabel commented: “A most enjoyable session spent with the budding bards at the school on Sydenham Hill. So much talent, so little time. I hope the participants get to love the language as much as I do. I hope we can do it again next term.”

“Creative writing is an important aspect of the curriculum and students at Sydenham High frequently enter into competitions with work they have crafted in and outside of the classroom;” said Head of English, Danielle Feehan. “The workshop provided wonderful balance between the rigour of exam preparation and the enjoyment of writing for its own sake.”

The workshop was also designed to encourage the students to come up with poems to enter into the Sydenham Arts’ poetry competition Girls Allowed! , which Isabel is judging. As well as cash prizes, the winner will have the opportunity to perform their poem alongside international spoken word poet Deanne Roger at the forthcoming Sydenham Arts Festival poetry event at 8pm on Saturday 6 July, at the Sydenham Centre.